2017 BEST FILM SELECTIONS
Saturday, November 4, Afternoon
Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, Berkeley
CHIEF
Directed by Amir Jaffer
United States, 2016, Documentary Short
This reverent ode to the service dog tells the story of German immigrant Sonja Ohldag, who is diagnosed with a seizure disorder after moving to the U.S. in 1999. Unable to afford a service animal from an organization, Sonja trains her dogs herself and takes a chance on Chief, who is not your average service dog.
MIND/GAME: THE UNQUIET JOURNEY OF CHAMIQUE HOLDSCLAW
Directed by Rick Goldsmith
United States, 2015, Documentary Feature
Basketball superstar Chamique Holdsclaw faced six felony counts, the possibility of prison, and public attacks on her character. Her rollercoaster attempts at recovery from near suicide reveal an uphill battle against the stigma of psychiatric disability and show a deep journey that is powerful, revelatory, instructive, and real.
WHEN BRENDEN MET HIROE
Directed by Steve Mayer-Miller
Australia/Japan 2016, Documentary Short
A photographer from Australia returns to Japan to reunite with his friend Hiroe, whom he met at a blind and deaf/blind workshop the year before. The pair spends an unforgettable day together.
THE BARBER OF AUGUSTA
Directed by Michèle Hozer
Canada, 2016, Documentary Short
Liane Yasumoto’s Jury’s Choice Award
Toronto native Matthew Genser goes to great lengths to find his unexpected superpower: cutting hair. Like all superheroes, he has a dark side; but in his costume, he’s invincible. Put on your cape and get lined up!
Also Read About: 2018 Films
Saturday, November 4, Evening
Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, Berkeley
TRAVELLER
Directed by Nwaye Zar Che Soe, Mine Aung Lin Tun, Pyae Zaw Phyo
Myanmar/Japan, 2014, Documentary Short
Disability Justice Award
A young woman born with a disability searches for a career despite rampant discrimination. She travels to Japan where she finds strength in disability activism and community, and returns home with a newfound sense of pride.
ON THE OUTS: REENTRY FOR INMATES WITH DISABILITIES
Directed by Jordan Melograna
United States, 2016, Documentary short
“On the Outs” follows three inmates with disabilities as they prepare for reentry, get discharged, and navigate the challenges of returning to their old lives. Produced by the Amplifying Voices of Inmates with Disabilities (AVID) Prison Project, this documentary scrutinizes the prison institution and its treatment of inmates with disabilities.
SIGN
Directed by Andrew Keenan-Bolger
United States, 2016, Short
Two men meet on a train—and a tender and unspoken love story unfolds. Through vignettes, music, and sign language, “Sign” follows the relationship between Ben (hearing) and Aaron (Deaf) as they navigate life’s milestones side by side.
IN CRYSTAL SKIN
Directed by Michaela O’Brien
United States/Colombia, 2016, Documentary Short
Best of Festival, Short
In Bogotá, Colombia, a charismatic eleven-year-old named Maria lives with the limitations imposed by a rare skin disease. Her fierce bond with her mother is tested and strengthened as they struggle to preserve Maria’s swiftly passing childhood.
STAB: LIFE AS A VOODOO DOLL
Directed by Jeanette Castillo
United States, 2017, Animated Short
An animated comic medical memoir dedicated to all those who live with chronic illness or disability. Writer and director Jeanette Castillo pair her tongue-and-cheek personal account of living with Type 1 diabetes with criticism of the American healthcare system.
Sunday, November 5, 1:00 p.m.
The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco
DEEJ
Directed by Rob Rooy
United States, 2017, Documentary Feature
Best of Festival, Feature
After being abandoned by his birth parents, DJ found not only a loving family but a life in words through a text-to-voice synthesizer. Told by the DJ himself, “Deej” was filmed over six years in the American Midwest and chronicles his journey to become Oberlin’s first non-speaking, autistic student.
ON BEAT
Directed by Cheng Zhang, Reid Davenport
United States, 2015, Documentary Short
This documentary follows the lives of a deaf couple with hearing children and the unexpected outlet that brings their family closer together.
LEFTY & LOOSEY
Directed by Zico Abrar
United States, 2016, Fictional Short
In this techy ode to film noir, two amputee veterans turned private investigators uncover a diabolical plot and must overcome their fears to crack the code and save the world.
RHIZOPHORA
Directed by Julia Metzger-Traber, Davide De Lillis
Germany, 2015, Documentary Short
Forty years after the Vietnam War, the toxic remnants of Agent Orange have not faded. In this dreamlike meditation on the impact of war and the resilience of humanity, “Rhizophora” follows 11 disabled Vietnamese youth on a whimsical, poignant, and whirling journey through a day in their lives.
WELL DONE
Directed by Riccardo Di Gerlando
Italy, 2016, Short
A sharply-dressed young man with Down syndrome sneaks out of his house to visit an art museum and causes a disruption. Through humor and irreverence, this film reminds us that art can be interpreted by everyone, not just the “experts.”
THE CHILI STORY
Directed by Patty Berne
United States, 2014, Animated Short
P.K. Walker Innovation in Craft Award
A true story about desire and the arousal of taboo on a BART train.